Syed Shemul Parvez :
The overall law and order situation in the country continues to deteriorate. Incidents of murder, kidnapping, robbery, loot, and theft are happening one after another, creating widespread panic and insecurity among the public. Despite the police returning to work, people are still not feeling comfortable with the current law and order situation.
The morale of law enforcement has reached rock bottom, as the previous government used them as a ‘political tool’. Criminals are exploiting the low morale within the police force.
Sources indicate that a conspiracy, led by former fascists, is still ongoing against the interim government. There are signs that some groups are actively working to create various forms of anarchy, including communal conflict, across the country.
Given the situation, many people are questioning the effectiveness of the police intelligence department and whether it is doing enough to combat crime across the country. Crime analysts believe that improving the law and order situation and restoring public trust will be a significant challenge for the administration and the police.
On 10 January, a brutal assault occurred at 10:45 pm in front of the Multiplan Centre, when masked assailants attacked two prominent computer business leaders, Md Ehtesamul Haque, Joint Member Secretary of ECS Computer City, and Md Wahidul Hasan Dipu, President of the Elephant Road Computer Traders’ Welfare Association, with machetes in the Elephant Road area of the capital. The assailants targeted them after failing to extort money.
A particularly shocking incident recently took place at Rajshahi University (RU), where at least 11 halls, including Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, Syed Ameer Ali Hall, Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall, Shah Makhdum Hall, Sher-E-Bangla Hall, and Motihar Hall, were affected by the burning of the Holy Quran.
Earlier, the university administration formed a nine-member investigation committee, led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Farid Uddin Khan, confirmed by Public Relations Administrator Professor Dr Md Akhter Hossain Mazumder. However, the university administration has not yet identified those responsible for the incident.
A resident student of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, Shihab Uddin, stated, “After performing Fajr prayer at the mosque, as usual, we saw that the first two surahs and the last two surahs of two Qurans had been burned and placed on the bookshelf.”
Syed Ameer Ali Hall Provost Professor Md Harun-or-Rashid condemned the incident, calling it an insult to religious sentiments, a provocation, and a despicable act. “The culprits must be brought to justice,” he added.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (DB) Rezaul Karim Mallik warned that identified criminals, extortionists, and robbers are exploiting the current situation but assured the public that law enforcement is determined to bring them to justice.
Rezaul Karim highlighted the intensified efforts to apprehend criminals, including notorious individuals like Picchi Helal and Imon, both implicated in murder and mugging cases. “Criminals like these will not escape the law. Our efforts are ongoing, and they will be arrested soon,” he stated.
Rezaul Karim assured that the police are committed to cracking down on illegal hoarders, extortionists, robbers, and drug dealers. “Police will act with an iron fist to eliminate such elements. Intelligence surveillance has been heightened across the capital and beyond. Extortionists and muggers have no place in this country,” he emphasised.
Crime expert and Professor of Dhaka University, Dr Tawohidul Haque, told The New Nation that there has been no notable improvement in the feedback from the law enforcement agencies. “We are not seeing any significant development in our intelligence department.
They may be relying on social media platforms, but it is still difficult to work effectively in this current situation, particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government,” he said.
Dr Haque added, “In addition to the police, all sections of society must come forward to assist law enforcement in restoring a secure environment.”
